Household Salt Tips

Windsor® Table and Household salts have been a staple in Canadian kitchens for generations. Did you know that there are other areas in your home where Windsor® Salt can be just as helpful?

From your kitchen to the tool room, Windsor® Salt is effective at handling a number of household tasks. So why not take a look at our many Household Tips and discover all the amazing things that salt can do.

FRESHENS UP THE AIR

Clear the air with this homemade air freshener. Just cut an orange in half, remove pulp, and fill the peel with Windsor® Salt. It will provide a pleasant, aromatic scent anywhere in your home.

PERKS UP COFFEE FLAVOUR

Add a pinch of Windsor® Salt to the coffee in the basket of your coffee maker. This will improve the coffee’s flavour by helping to reduce the bitter taste.

REMOVES WINE STAINS

A fine wine is hard to appreciate when it stains your nicest shirt. Use Windsor® Salt to help remove wine stains from cotton fabrics. Immediately pour enough salt directly on the spill to soak up the liquid. Immerse the fabric for a 1/2 hour in cold water. Launder as usual.

RUBS OUT FISH ODOURS

Removing fish odour from your hands is simple with Windsor® Salt. Just rub your hands with a lemon wedge dipped in salt, then rinse with water.

HELPS CUT THE RUST

Here’s a sharp idea: remove rust from household tools by using Windsor® Salt and 15ml (1 tbsp) of lemon juice. Apply the paste to rusted area with a dry cloth and rub.

ELIMINATES ODOURS

Help cut odours off of your wooden cutting board, simply by pouring a generous amount of Windsor® Salt directly on the board. Rub lightly with a damp cloth. Wash in warm, soapy water.

PATCHES THINGS UP

To patch small nail holes and fine cracks in plaster or wallboard, mix 30ml (2 tbsp) of Windsor® Salt, 30ml (2 tbsp) of cornstarch, and about 20ml to 25ml (4 to 5 tsp) of water to make a thick, pliable paste. Fill hole and let dry. Sand if necessary, then paint.

CAN PICK UP A YOLK

Don’t fret over spilled eggs. Just pour Windsor® Salt on top of the spill to cover the eggs, then wipe the eggs up with a paper towel.

HELPS VASES SHINE AGAIN

Restore the shine to a glass flower vase. Just mix 80ml (1/3 cup) Windsor® Salt and 30ml (2 tbsp) of vinegar to form a paste. Apply to inside of vase (for a large vase, double or triple the quantity of paste). Let stand 20 minutes, scrub, and discard paste. Rinse vase and dry.

REVIVES SILK FLOWERS

Make your silk flowers look like Spring. Place the silk flowers into a large bag and pour in 250ml (1 cup) of Windsor® Salt. Shake vigorously. Remove. And voilà your flowers are clean.

CLEANS COFFEE POTS

To remove coffee stains from the inside of a glass coffee pot, add 20ml (4 tsp) of Windsor® Salt, 250ml (1cup) of crushed ice, and 15ml (1 tbsp) of water. Gently swirl until clean, then rinse. The coffee pot should be at room temperature before cleaning. Do not use if pot is cracked or chipped.

KEEPS YOU ON THE MOVE

Don’t let bicycle rust slow you down. To clean the rust from bike handlebars and tire rims, make a paste using 90ml (6 tbsp) of Windsor® Salt and 30ml (2 tbsp) of lemon juice. Apply paste to rusted area with a dry cloth and rub. Rinse thoroughly and dry.

HELPS PROTECT PANTYHOSE

To make pantyhose more resistant to runs, we’ve got the perfect solution. First, wash new pantyhose and allow to drip dry. Then mix 500ml (2 cups) of Windsor® Salt with 3.75L (about 4 quarts) of water and immerse pantyhose. Soak for three hours, rinse in cool water, and drip dry.

REMOVES DISPOSAL ODOURS

To help remove odours from garbage disposals, pour 125ml (½ cup) of Windsor® Salt directly into the garbage disposal. Then, by running the disposal following the manufacturer’s directions, you’ll send those odors down the drain!

CHILLS YOUR BUBBLY QUICKLY

To quickly chill a bottle of wine or champagne, place the bottle in an ice bucket or other tall plastic container. Add a layer of ice on the bottom and sprinkle it with a few tablespoons of Windsor® Salt. Continue to layer salt and ice until it reaches the neck of the bottle. Then add water to ice level. After 10-12 minutes, open and serve. Rinse ice bucket thoroughly after use.

SWEEPS YOU OFF YOUR FEET

To prepare a salt water bath, pour 5.75L (1.5 gallons) of warm water in a large basin. Mix in 60ml (1/4 cup) of Windsor® Salt and 60ml (1/4 cup) of baking soda. Soak feet for up to 15 minutes. Warning: People living with diabetes or individuals with poor circulation should consult their physician before using.

CREATES SCULPTED MASTERPIECES

Kids and parents alike always have fun making Windsor® Klaymates rainy day salt sculpture friends. In a medium saucepan, mix 250ml (1 cup) flour, 125ml (1/2 cup) Windsor® Salt, 10ml (2 tsp) of cream of tartar, 250ml (1 cup) of water, and a few drops of food colouring (optional). Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until mixture is very thick and lumpy as it cooks.

Cool slightly, then knead in 1 or 2 drops of vegetable oil. Store in a plastic bag. For more brilliant shades, use paste food colours, available where cake decorating supplies are sold.

NOTE: SALT SCULPTURE IS ART, NOT FOOD. IT IS NOT EDIBLE.

INSPIRES YOUNG ARTISTS

Try SaltCraft, the art of painting on salt paper. Peel off the backing from a piece of clear contact paper. With sticky side up, cover thoroughly with Windsor® Salt. Gently shake off excess salt and let stand at least 48 hours. With salty side up, place salt paper over a colouring book picture or a piece of plain paper. Use a paint brush and water colours to paint on surface of salt paper. Use light strokes when painting, rather than rubbing hard. Let dry, then remove the paper from under your design. To give your design a softer look, spray with fine mist of water. Glue design to background paper of your choice, with either textured or smooth side up.

Make your jewelry shine again

Clean your gold-filled, brass, german (nickel) silver, and sterling silver jewelry.
Heat water in microwave for 1-2 minutes. Line a small bowl with aluminum foil, place 1 tablespoon each salt, baking soda and dishwashing liquid in bowl. Place jewelry on foil, let sit for 10-15 minutes then rinse in cold water and dry with a soft cloth.